Margaux Farrell's Olympic moment lasted just two minutes, but the experience will last her a lifetime because she will take home a bronze medal.
Farrell, of Woodbridge, swam the second leg of the 4x200 freestyle relay for France on Wednesday in London and helped the team to the fifth best time of the qualifying heats, securing a spot in the finals for the French team.
Her team went on to come in third in the finals, behind the United States and Australia.
"Being that this was my first time swimming at this level in front of over 17,000 people, I am happy with the experience," Farrell said after the race.
Farrell, who set a number of swimming records while at Amity High School, holds dual citizenship. She followed the footsteps of her mother, who also swam for the French national team.
In the medal heat for the 4x200 freestyle relay this afternoon, Farrell did not swim. Olympic rules allow a team to substitute swimmers from the qualifying heat to compete in the finals.
Before the finals, Farrell felt good about her relay team's chances.
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"We still have 2 people right now who are very fast who rested this (morning) to put in for finals, so we are in good position right now," Farrell said.
She said she had hoped to swim in the finals, but is glad to have contributed to the team's success.
"I'm happy I at least got the chance to swim," Farrell said. "All in all, great experience and no regrets."
As one of the team members who swam in the preliminary heat, Farrell is awarded a bronze medal becuase of Team France's third-place finish.
